My mother is probably the wisest person I've ever known. She's not schooled, she's not well read. But she has a philosophy of life that makes well-read people seem like morons.

People who are the salt of the earth get up and go to a job that they hate.

England is a profoundly bizarre place that has produced thousands of bands the world has worshipped.

I voted for President Bush, I voted for President Clinton, and, although I do want my vote back, I voted for President Obama.

I would consider myself to be a moderate Republican, but more important than that, I believe our system of government is the best system there is... and while I have no illusions of changing the world, I've had good opportunities in life, and I believe there's an obligation to give something back by participating.

I consider anybody a twerp who hasn't read 'Democracy in America' by Alexis de Tocqueville. There can never be a better book than that one on the strengths and vulnerabilities inherent in our form of government.

Anybody who respects democracy has to keep in mind that never in this country was a separate state carved out without a resolution being passed in the assembly.

My goal in life is to get the federal government down to half its present size and under control, and then I can write murder mysteries.